Assad thanks UAE for ‘huge’ aid as death toll from Turkey, Syria quake hits 33,000 – News

Abdullah bin Zayed visits devastated areas, discusses humanitarian impact of earthquake with Syrian President

Damaged and collapsed buildings after an earthquake in the rebel-held town of Jandaris, Syria, February 11, 2023.Photo: Reuters

“The UAE was the first to stand with Syria and send Great Relief and Humanitarian Aid As well as search and rescue teams,” Assad said during a meeting with Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Damascus.

Bashar al-Assad meets with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in Damascus, Syria, February 12, 2023 (Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan).Photo: Reuters

During the meeting, the UAE Foreign Minister conveyed a message from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Mak, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Condolences and condolences from His Royal Highness Toum. – Assad, the Syrian people and the families of the victims, and pray that Almighty Allah have mercy on them and that the wounded will recover soon.

It was the first visit by a senior Gulf official since the 7.8-magnitude earthquake.

“Since the earthquake, 16 Emirati planes have arrived in Syria,” said Suleiman Khalil, a Syrian transport ministry official.

“Around the clock, Emirates aircraft have been providing an air bridge to those affected by the earthquake.”

Emirati search and rescue teams have been stationed in the Syrian coastal city of Jabalah since Friday, where they have established a stronghold. They worked in multiple locations, searching for the remains of survivors and the dead among the rubble.

President of Syria asked Sheikh Abdullah to convey his greetings and thanked Sheikh Mohammed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Fatima bint Mubarak, Women’s General Union (GWU), President of the Supreme Maternal and Child Council and Supreme Chairman of the Family Development Foundation (FDF) and the Mother of the Nation provide assistance to the Syrian people.